Britt excels in limited minutes to spark UNC win

Nate Britt has little aversion to change.

In his first year, the North Carolina guard started 17 games and averaged over 20 minutes per contest. The following year, he switched roles — and shooting hands — as the right-handed sharpshooter hit the bench as a primary reserve.

This season, when a hand injury sidelined senior guard Marcus Paige for the first six games, the Tar Heels (7-1) thrust their malleable junior into an expanded role. Bolstered by a 32-point outburst through his first two outings, Britt averaged a career-high 8.8 points and logged at least 17 minutes in each contest during Paige’s absence.

But the star senior’s return relegated Britt to a secondary spot in the rotation. As the team’s third option at point guard, the junior watched eight teammates hit the court before checking into UNC’s 98-65 win over Davidson (5-1).

“We knew minutes would be taken away (when Paige returned), but everyone’s perfectly fine with that,” he said. “Everybody knows their role on this team.”

On Sunday, Britt assumed the role of leading scorer.

The junior tied a career-high with 17 points in 16 minutes of play, sinking six of his eight shots and spearheading the Tar Heels’ balanced attack with 13 first-half points to secure an insurmountable halftime lead.

“Nate acted like the microwave out there for a while,” Coach Roy Williams said. “(He) gave us a big lift in the first half.”

Upon entering the game six minutes into the first half, Britt knocked down a 3-pointer on his second possession. Two plays later, the junior drove into the paint for an easy score.

Thirty seconds passed before another 3-pointer met the bottom of the net.

“The first one went in, so I took the next one and the next one,” he said. “And they kept falling.”

Britt’s hot hand continued to strike, as the junior connected on his next two shots before missing the mark on a 3-pointer with 34 seconds left in the opening period.

But the damage had been done. In nine minutes of action, Britt had 13 points to his credit on only six attempts.

“I’ve always felt like I had to be efficient,” he said.

“I know my role is not to take a bunch of shots on the offensive end. I’m just kind of knocking down the open shot and taking what’s there.”

Britt’s model efficiency continued into the second half, where he added another basket and was perfect from the free-throw line.

But when he needed to spread the wealth, he did so in extraordinary fashion.

After Joel James recorded a steal in the game’s final minutes, Britt pushed the pace on the ensuing fast break, locking eyes with the senior forward as he crossed midcourt.

But the heady junior casually tossed a strike to his left, hitting a streaking Kenny Williams in stride. The first-year guard converted the no-look dime into an easy bucket, giving the Tar Heels their largest lead of the night.

“He’s just out there playing basketball, he knows how to play …” sophomore wing Justin Jackson said. “He knows when to score. He knows when to be aggressive. He knows when to pass it off.”

Britt said his work in the offseason has greatly increased his confidence, while Roy Williams commended the combo guard for strides on defense and in avoiding turnovers.

Yet Williams added that Britt has worked harder than nearly any player in improving his stroke — and the results are clear.

“He can shoot the basketball,” Williams said. “Guys who can shoot should shoot. Guys who can’t, shouldn’t."

But Britt — who is second on the team in 3-point efficiency at 48.1 percent — has proven he can shoot. And in limited minutes Sunday, he didn’t disappoint.

“He’s always been a very skilled point guard, and his shot’s just gotten much, much better,” Jackson said. “He played great for us today, and we just need him to keep it up.”

Britt can only hope his renewed success is impervious to change.